Operating device for cymbals



' cymbals after being clashed.

A further ob'ect is to provide a cymbal Patented Nov. 1, ieav.

un rso .s ra'rss ILLIAM Davin enanscronn, or new. SZGRK, 1r. YL

ores-arms nnvron' son err/inane.

This invention relates to improvements in musical instruments andrhas particular reference to an operating device for cymbals.

In certain types of orchestral music, commonly-known as azzor syncopated music, it is customary to play cymbals in such a manner as to produce a hollow sound when the same arcclashed. Heretofore such operation of the cymbals hasbeen accomplished by meansof cumbersome foot operated de vices. i i Q.

An object of the presentinvention is to provide a hand operated device of simple and practical construction by means of which a pair of cymbals may be operated to effectively clash the same to produce the de sired tone. T Another object sto provide a mounting for the cymbals in which a pair of pivoted handles are connected to the cymbals by resilient elements which are effective in maintaining portions of the cymbals in direct contact with each other: at all times and which will assist in partially separating the in which the center concavity thereof is so proportioned with respect to the rim of the cymbal that the same will be effective. when operated with a cymbal of a like type. to. produce a hollow sound. 7 V

The above and other objects will appear more clearly from the following detailed description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing. which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the inventive idea.

In the drawing- Figure 1 is a front elevation of the instrument constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the mounting for one of the cymbals.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawing, the numeral 4: designates a pair of complemental handle members pivoted together at 5 adjacent the gripping'portions Gthereof so that the remaining portions of said members will b of considerably greater length tran the portions on the opposite side of said pivot. When the handle members are in normal position the cymbal supporting portions 7 thereof diverge from,

the pivotal point 5, as clearly shown in Fig ure 1,-

to receive thereoetween Application 'filed August 18, 1925; Serial No. 59,901;

of cymbals. These cymbals are somewhat of the same constrnction a's ordinary cymbals except that the central arcuate portions 8 thereof forming'concavities' upon the inner faces of thecymbals are larger in diameter than the width of striking faces 9. By reason of this construction it has been found that when the cymbals are clashed the same will produce a hollow sound of little, if

any, resonance as distinguished from the vibratory or resonant sound emitted by cymbalsof usual construction. 2

The cymbals aremonnted in opposed positions .with their striking faces adjacent each other by means of'conical coiledsprings 10. The smaller end of each spring is secured to the central portion of the associted cymbal by means of rivet 11 or-othe'r suitable fastener while the larger end of the spring is secured to the inclined bottom of arecess 12-formed in each of the portions 7 adjacent its free end. By forming the recess 12 with an lIlClll'lECl'bOllliOlYl. as clearly shown in Figure 3, and by arranging the cymbals between the'portions' 7 Y of the handle members so that the per pheries of the striking faces of-the cymbals will contact at a point inwardly of the outer ends of said portions 7. it will be apparent that the coin volutions at the larger end of the springs 10 willbe placed under tension or distorted in V such manner that the tendency of the springs when the device is in the position. shown in Figure I, will be to force the ed es of the cymbals together at the point where they contact.

In practice. when'the grippin portions 6 are brought together and the handles are swung about their pivot 5 the free ends of the portions 7 will approach each other thus imparting a similar movement to the striking faces 9 of'the cymbals, the movement of the latter being also a pivotal one due to the contact of the cymbals with each other at adjacent points of their peripheries. When the cymbals are clashed the arcuate portions thereof will combine to 'ef feet a hollow sound and due to the fact that the cymbals are resiliently mounted a certain amount of vibration will take place when the striking faces 9 meet; When the handle portions are'released the springs, which have been compressed by the move merit of the free ends of the portions 7 toward each' othe'r,'will now es and an iii will assist in ass penises-r toward their normal positions and also aid the movement of the cymbals toward their normal positions.

The device ofthe present invention has been found to produce a very effective tone when played in orchestras and. as will be seen from the foregoing description. pro vides a simple and easily constructed device which may be operated by hand.

VVhat is claimed is:

1. In a musical instrument. a pair of cymbals, pivotally connected handle members. and means connecting said cymbals with said members forming a resilient support for the cymbals and operable to partially 7 separate the same after being clashed by the actuation of said handle members.

2. In a musical instrument, a pair of cymbals, pivotally connected handle members each associated with one of said cymbals, and

I means interposed between each of said cymbals and its associated handle member for connecting thecymbal. thereto and for con stantly maintaining portions of said cymbals in contact with each other. i

3. Ina-musical instrument, a pair of cymbals having portions thereof iii-constant contact with each other, pivotally connected handle members, and a helical spring connecting each of the cymbals with one of the handle members and having a portion thereof under tension when the cymbalsflare in normal position to maintain said constant contact between the cymbals. V 4. In a musical instrument, a pair of cymbals', pivotally connected handle members having supporting portions normally diverging from the pivot of the handles and capable of receiving said cymbals therebetween, and springs connected to said supporting portions and forming supports for said cymbals, said springs being operable to cause the cymbals to contact at adjacent points on their peripheries with the striking faces of the cymbals angularly positioned with respect to each other.

5. In a musical instrument, a pair of cymbals, pivotally connected handle members having supporting portions. normally diverging from the pivot of the handles and capable of receiving said cymbals therebetween. and a helical spring connecting each cymbal with one of said supporting portions, the latter having a recess therein provided with an inclined bottom to which one of the convolutions is secured to place a portion of said spring under tension and thereby cause said cymbals to contact each other at adja cent points on their peripheries with the striking faces of the cymbals arranged diagonally with respect to each other.

6. A cymbal formed from a sheet of thin metal of uniform thickness throughout and including' a central arcuate portion forming a concavity in one face thereof, and; a rim forming the striking face of the cymbal, the width of said rim being less than the diameter of said concavity.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

WILLIAM DAVID GLADSTONE. 

